Microsoft Word jep-vol. 7 No. 14 2016

---

Journal of Education and Practice
www.iiste.org
 
ISSN 2222-1735 (Paper) ISSN 2222-288X (Online)
 
Vol.7, No.14, 2016 
113 
Teaching Practice Experience for Undergraduate Student 
Teachers: A Case Study of the Department of Education at 
Sokoine University of Agriculture, Tanzania 
Benedicto William Msangya
1*
Stelyus L. Mkoma
2
Wang Yihuan
3
1.College of Humanities and Development Studies, China Agricultural University.No.17 Qing Hua Dong Lu, 
Haidian District, Beijing 100083 P.R.China 
2.Department of Physical Sciences, Faculty of Science, Sokoine University of Agriculture, P.O. Box 3038, Chuo 
Kikuu, Morogoro, Tanzania 
3.College of Humanities and Development Studies, China Agricultural University.No.17 Qing Hua Dong Lu, 
Haidian District, Beijing 100083 P.R.China 
Abstract
Education is the key to development; however, it is impossible to think the quality of education without having 
academically qualified and professional responsible teachers. The main objective of this study was to examine 
the perspectives of undergraduate student teachers toward teaching practice experience as a tool of learning to 
teach. A qualitative research methods approach using semi - structure questionnaires was carried out to 351 
second and third year undergraduate student teachers in the department of education of the Faculty of Science at 
Sokoine University of Agriculture. The findings indicate that the student teachers perceived teaching practice as 
an important tool of learning to teach because it promoted the development of teaching experience and prepared 
them for the real world of work. The results also revealed that teaching practice is sufficiently emphasised and 
lack of financial support and the mismatch of the teaching practice period with local secondary school calendar 
were the main challenges. The study recommends provision of adequate fund on time, close supervision, 
building strong university partnership with the local secondary schools need interventions if not be improved and 
given its due attention.